Skip to main content
Guidance

Early years ITT requirements and supporting advice

Advice for providers looking to offer early years initial teacher training (ITT).

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
5 January 2015
Last updated:
19 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the guidance for clarity and consistency with the ITT criteria.

  2. Guidance updated to reflect academic year 2025 to 2026 EYITT delivery. Sections relating to Disclosure and Barring Service checks updated to include reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and paediatric first aid (PFA) requirements. Reference now made to the Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF), rather than the ITT Framework.

  3. Updated 'Early years initial teacher training (EYITT): criteria and supporting advice' for the 2023 to 2024 academic year, including updates to ITT accreditation and recruitment practices.

  4. Updated 'Early years initial teacher training (EYITT): criteria and supporting advice' for academic year 2022 to 2023, including sections '1.1 Entry requirements' and '1.3 Suitability'.

  5. Revised guidance to revert to pre-COVID-19 advice.

  6. Updated the early years initial teacher training criteria in line with the ITT criteria changes made in April 2021 as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) amendment to the School Teacher Qualification Regulations.

  7. Updated information on student support and background checks.

  8. Updated temporary guidance changes due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

  9. Temporary guidance changes due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

  10. Updated the ‘Entry requirements’ section on page 9 explaining what should happen when entrants to early years ITT courses are unable to demonstrate the required GCSE equivalent entry standard, as a consequence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

  11. Guidance updated reflecting measures to be taken during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

  12. Guidance updated reflecting changes in closure and withdrawal criteria, fee charging/student support and other minor changes.

  13. Revised version of the guidance to reflect changes to skills tests.

  14. Updated allocations information for the academic year 2016 to 2017.

  15. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Early years initial teacher training (EYITT): criteria and supporting advice

HTML

Details

Information on the following requirements for early years ITT:

  • accreditation
  • entry levels
  • training
  • management and quality assurance
  • employment-based

This information is for early years ITT providers. If you’re interested in applying for early years ITT, visit Get into Teaching.

Advice for employers can be found in the early years initial teacher training: a guide for employers.

Sign up for emails or print this page